Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter and Dill

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

Tender salmon fillets pan-seared to golden perfection and finished with a bright lemon butter and fresh dill sauce. This seafood recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 pieces, 6 oz each, skin on salmon fillets
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat 4 salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes without moving until the skin is crisp and golden.
3. Step 3: Carefully flip the fillets and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Spoon the melted butter and garlic over the salmon continuously for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill. Spoon the lemon butter sauce over the salmon and serve immediately.